PM Modi Reaffirms India’s Unwavering Support for Palestine and Gaza Peace Plan
The Prime Minister shared this stance during a high-level meeting with Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, the Palestinian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, on Saturday, January 31.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the first such summit hosted by New Delhi in a decade. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed that Modi welcomed the comprehensive Gaza peace plan, which aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2803. The Prime Minister underscored that the Arab world remains an integral part of India’s “extended neighborhood,” bound by deep civilizational and brotherly ties.
Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin briefed the Prime Minister on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, specifically highlighting the devastation in Gaza. She expressed the Palestinian government’s deep appreciation for India’s principled positions at the United Nations and other international forums, particularly in advocating for Palestinian rights under international law.
India’s role as a long-standing development partner was a focal point of the discussions. To date, New Delhi has provided approximately $170 million in humanitarian and developmental assistance to the Palestinian people, delivered both bilaterally and through agencies like UNRWA. Currently, Indian-funded projects worth $40 million are being implemented in sectors such as healthcare and education. Minister Shahin sought India’s continued cooperation in the upcoming relief, recovery, and reconstruction phases for Gaza.
The summit also led to the adoption of the "New Delhi Declaration," where India and the 22-member Arab League collectively backed a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. Beyond the Palestinian issue, Prime Minister Modi outlined a roadmap for the India-Arab partnership, targeting enhanced cooperation in green energy, food security, and digital technology. He emphasized that the robust $240 billion trade relationship between the two regions provides a solid foundation for future strategic growth and regional stability.
